Urgent Care :: i think its dieing!!!

[koch]

How big is your turtle? about 30 mm each way
How long have you had it? four weeks dont know how old it is though

What is the water temperature? about 24 c
Are you using a water heater? yes
How much water is in there? enough to swim and crawl out of on dry land
Are you using a water conditioner? no
Are you using any filtration? yes

What is the basking temperature? dont know
Is there a basking light? um stuck to the tank i think
Is there a basking platform that is easy to climb on? yes
What kind is it or what is it made out of? rock
Is there a UVB light? i think so its a light

What have you been trying to feed it? everything from pelits to shrimp to veg
When was the last time your turtle ate? two week ago.

How big is the tank/pond/enclosure? big enough
Is the tank near a window? no
Is the tank in a room with a lot of activity? yes

Have you read the Basic Care section? no
Have you searched the forums for similar situations? kind of but im paniking now

Is there any other unusual activity/symptoms? yes. i think it is blind and it often opens its mouth as though yawning. i cant even touch it i get so upset. i have tried everything it looks like its shrinking. the shell is going grey ish and it does not move much. i kind of sometimes looks like its grasping for air. there is one another turtle of the same breed, they are yellow belly sliders. the other one is doing fine no issues eats swims and everything.

[cam722]

A lot of the symptoms you're stating sound like it has a respiratory infection (RI) .. I'd get it to a Vet ASAP. You also may want to read some of the information on the site such as the basic care information and the basic info on their habitat.

http://www.redearslider.com/index_basic_care.html

[megcornell]

you may also want to separate your turtles, so the healthy one doesnt get infected too

[koch]

thank you guys.

much appreciated.

[koch]

hi guys

an update............i took my lil thing to the vet today and he prescribed an antibiotic for her, however he was not too optimistic he said that i should drop one rop a day in her mouth for a week and if se is stilla live i should com back for a week.

i dont know what to do. she has to stay warm so i have put a hot water bottle under her plactic container and got a lamp over her head. i cant really feed her the antibiotics coz she wont really open her mouth much.

any suggestions let me know.

im thinking about taking her to work to keep an eye on her

[jenaero]

When I had to give my box turtle oral medication, I got a small syringe and injected the medication into a worm and then he would eat the worm. Try it.

Also, make sure she doesn't get too warm. Make sure she has access to water if she wants to get out of the heat.

[CountryGirl68]

im thinking about taking her to work to keep an eye on her

You should keep her in her tank. The added stress of traveling with you to work and not being in her regular environment can make matters worse.

[koch]

yeah i thought of the travelling especially as the whether is getting cold now.

the problem is that it wont eat anything so i cant feed the medication like that. last night i tried a hit and miss type thing. i tried my best to get as much in as possible but i dont think it did a lot to be honest.

i dont know how to keep it warm now, i been recommended a heat matt apparently you can get them for dogs and cats and to put this under its container. i have a light bulb over its head at the moment.

i have tried to put a hot water bottle under it so keep the water hot but this morning it went crazy and stated running around. so i took it off!!

anyone help before i got and get a heat matt?

[marisa]

How big is the container your turtle is in ("big enough" doesn't tell me anything)? If the plastic container so small that a heat mat is being recommended to warm the water, you need to get a better set-up so you can put a submersible water heater in it to keep the water temp constant. Skip the heat mat. 24C is too cold, especially since your turtle sounds ill.

Try what was suggested above for getting more meds into your turtle (try the live worm or pieces of it). What medication are you giving your turtle?

[koch]

they hav prescrbed baytril oral 2.5%. i have to give it to her via drops, but she wont even open her mouth now. the container is plastic, um size of a small food container. the vet said it was alright. i dont knowwhat to do.

im so worried now. this morning when i got up i put hot water in the hot water bottle and [----] started running around like crazy as though she was burning. i tried to at least get her to do the same so she opens her mouth and she wont do ti anymore.

to be honest and i know this is gonna sound really harsh but i cant afford to go and buy another whole aquiarium just for her. im not crule i swear i spent a fortune on the other one (she is fine).

i mean if there are any handy tips i could try please let me know. she wont eat anything. i went and got fresh praws cut them up real tiny but nothing.

[jenaero]

i cant afford to go and buy another whole aquiarium just for her

As a pet owner it is your responsibility to do everything you can to keep your turtle happy and healthy. Providing the proper setup is essential. If you can't, you should give your turtle to someone who can. jmho

[missibsu]

Rubbermaid containers are inexpensive and make great temporary set ups. Please do what it takes to ensure a healthy set up for your other turtle.

[koch]

i will. i will do my best. i have thought of an alternative arrangement. i do not want you guys to think i am irresponsible, i feel like she is my lil boobs, seriously, she is sleeping by my head every night.

where do i get rubbermain containers in the UK?

i think we have a little bit of improvement in terms of movement. she is walking about now, and actually acknolwdges the food although she is not eating just yet.

ill keep you up dated. thank you for all your help.

[missibsu]

I'm not sure what stores are available to you. A place that carries home supplies, they are basically a storage bin. There are other brands as well. Basically you are looking for something plastic, that is durable enough to hold water. The larger the better.

[koch]

guys i think its gonna be alright. i have kept it warm in my own crazy way, and fed it antibiotics, and yesterday i put some food in its mouth, and then put it in the water so it could swallow it.........and it did

this morning its shell didn't look so grey.




i am so happy, i hope it be ok now. its really hard taking care of these lil things, and they are so helpless.........



thanks for all your help.... i ll still keep you guys posted and everything.

i just hope i am not being to optimistic. ill post you a picture soon.